Flu and norovirus hospital rates surge 70% - Brits with cough told stay inside
Winter viruses such as flu and norovirus are surging as health bosses warn people to self isolate if they start to feel a cough coming on.
NHS leaders said the health system is still “in the thick of winter” as hospital data for England showed 2,226 inpatients with flu on average each day last week. This is up 70% in a month and is three quarters higher than the same month last year.
Winter vomiting bug norovirus saw 688 patients on average in hospital each day last week, up 80% on last month and 75% higher than the same time last year. NHS bed occupancy is at its highest of the winter and the data suggests winter viruses are increasingly circulating in the community.
Separate data from the UK Health Security Agency suggests one in every 50 people have Covid. Prof Julian Redhead, NHS England director for urgent care, said: “These figures show that the NHS is still in the thick of a challenging winter with intensifying seasonal virus pressures.”
Covid in hospitals remain high, increasing slightly to 3,982 inpatients with the virus each day last week. The Winter Covid-19 Infection Study, which randomly tested 26,000 volunteers in England and Scotland last week, suggested 2% of the population have the virus. This was down from 2.3% the previous week.
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Flu patients in hospital in England (Press Association Images)Prof Steven Riley, director of data surveillance at UKHSA, said: “Covid-19 is still causing serious illness and hospitalisation, particularly in older and more vulnerable people. If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness like Covid-19, try to limit your contact with other people as much as possible, especially those who are more at risk.”
NHS hospital bed occupancy remains dangerously high, with 96% occupied last week. Prof Redhead added: “More than 13,000 patients remaining in hospital each day who are fit to be discharged because of ongoing capacity issues in social and community care.
Ambulance handovers delayed by at least 30 minutes at hospitals in England (Press Association Images)“NHS staff have worked tirelessly to boost capacity and execute key steps of the urgent and emergency care recovery plan. As always, I would urge the public to get their flu and Covid vaccines if they are eligible, and continue to come forward for NHS services when you need them. Contact 999 or A&E in an emergency, and 111 online for any other conditions.”
Adam Brimelow, director of communications at NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said: "There’s been no respite for the NHS this week with a major spike in winter bugs, including norovirus, flu and Covid-19, piling the pressure on the health service.
“The surge in ambulance call outs and handover delays when they arrive with patients at the hospital front door shows just how high demand is on the service right now. Every ambulance queuing up outside an emergency department is one less out on the road helping the sickest patients.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, public health director at UKHSA, said: "Flu cases and hospitalisations continue to increase, following a decrease over the festive period. Covid-19 activity remains mostly stable. There are simple steps can take to reduce the spread of respiratory infections like flu and Covid-19. Let fresh air in when meeting others indoors, wash your hands and cover your coughs and sneezes. If you are showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, try to reduce your contact with others, particularly those who are more vulnerable, and consider wearing a mask if you do need to go out.”
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